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Rifle Scopes Bushnell ERS vs Vortex Razor HD

kmose73

kmose73
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 23, 2013
201
6
Greeley, CO
For about the same price, is there any reason to buy the bushie over the razor? The only reasons I can come with are the G2 reticle and a little more low end. Am I missing something?
 
I assume you mean the ERS 3.5-21x50mm vs. the Razor 5-20x50mm.

Looking at those, the ERS is noticeably smaller in physical dimensions and slightly lighter. It also uses the somewhat more common 34mm rings (though if you can afford a $2k scope, you can afford 35mm rings) and has locking turrets.

I would be leaning towards the Razor unless size or weight was an issue. The Razor is a very large scope. The ERS is a moderately large scope, but still heavy.
 
While I have limited experience with Vortex or the Razor, I would highly suggest you decide exactly what you will be using the optic for. Other people may disagree, but I think the G2 reticle is about as good as it gets. It is simple enough to use without being overcrowded or cluttered. The illumination feature on the Razor is nice. In the end I suspect Liberty optics could sell you a Bushnell for much less than MSRP. As such that would make it a better value, if it suits your needs. By my estimation, based on liberty optics pricing, the bushy would be 500-600 cheaper. That buys you a lot of ammo, and a nice trigger upgrade.

Chip
 
You assume correctly. Thanks for the input. Can I assume that you would be leaning toward the Razor due to it's glass quality?

Mostly based on reputation. I have no experience with those exact scopes. I've looked through a first gen HDMR 3.5-21x and thought the glass seemed kinda flat. I have a 1-6x Razor and it is just absolutely awesome, so I'm ASSuming the positive reviews of the 5-20x are accurate. The Vortex warranty also factors in.
 
Bushnell ERS vs Vortex Razor HD

I've looked through a vortex razor, bush g2dmr, and SS 5-20.

Vortex and SS has better glass/clarity. But all that has been said before.

I own a Bushnell and a SS.

I like the zero stop and the reticle of the vortex. But for the price the Bushnell and the SS is awesome.

With that said, I'd like to try the Bushnell ERS. With 10mil rev and zero stop, but with the h59.
 
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I've looked through a vortex razor, bush g2dmr, and SS 5-20.

Vortex and SS has better glass/clarity. But all that has been said before.

QUOTE]

That being said, do you feel that the SS is on par with the vortex in glass quality? How about the illumination on the SS?
 
The SS is pretty close to the razor.

I had both ill and non-ill for the SS. Honestly don't care for it to much.
If I do use it during low light situations(hunting). I would just keep it on the low side.

I would like to get higher end scopes, but my wallet and I are happy with the SS.
 
I owned a Razor 5-20 (5mil) and bushy XRS 4.5-30 at the same time. I know you are talking the ERS but I would assume the glass would be similar on both models. I actually liked the Bushy over the Razor (that I owned and used for over a year) because I felt the eye relief was a little more forgiving and loved the G2 reticule even though the EBR-2B was pretty good too. The zero stop on the Razor edges the bushy in terms of super fine zeroing while sighting in but I liked the turret feel on the XRS and it had a rock solid stop on it. Though my eyes, the glass on the XRS edged the Razor ever so slightly but they are close enough that it comes down to a matter of opinion from the shooter. At the end of the day they are both great scopes but I fell in love with the new bushnells and would buy another when I get back to that point.
 
I own a 5-20 Vortex Razor HD, Bushnell DMR 3.5-21 (basically the same as ERS minus the zero stop), and the Bushnell XRS 4.5-30 (as well as a number of other high end optics from various manufacturers) and if I were buying a scope in that level today, I'd get a Bushnell DMR. Don't get me wrong, the Razor is a fantastic scope with a lot of features and a hell of a warranty for $2,000. The glass is excellent (a little better than either Bushnell in my opinion), the turrets have firm and precise clicks, and you have the illuminated reticle which isn't available on either of the Bushnells. Scott @ Liberty is having a sale on Bushnell DMRs with the G2 reticle for $1,139 and had that deal been around when I picked up my Razor, I'd have bought two of them for basically the same price as a single Razor. The Razor wins over a single Bushnell but not over a pair of them.

What are you going to be mounting the scope on and what are you planning on doing with it? Punching holes in paper at 100 yds in the middle of the day or making 500 yd+ hunting shots in low light conditions? How important are the zero stop or illuminated reticle to you? Do you require FFP or would a Nightforce NXS possibly suit your needs better? Answering these questions will help all of us out in recommending a scope for you.
 
OP, you're in Greely...head over to Mile High Shooting and look through both. Talk to the guys there, fondle them, and decide for yourself. 5% Hide discount helps too. Mile High has both models you're looking at and right now you can get a free Spuhr mount with the Razor. I've had the SS 5-20 and didn't like the reticle and ergonomics of the illum/parallax controls. I then got a Steiner 5-25 and it had some things I didn't like too much, sold it and got a Razor. The Razor is, to me anyway, my ideal scope. It's heavy and big, but doesn't seem so once mounted. I got the EBR-2B reticle which I like a lot...best reticle I've used so far. I really like the open center. I also got the 10-mil per rev turrets.

I looked at the Bushy XRS at Mile High and was really impressed with it at the time, though for me the Razor had the best all around features I was looking for, and the price, with the Spuhr mount was an unbeatable deal. I've been very happy with is so far. Vortex is also coming out with new scopes, a Razor 3-18 and 4.5-27 I believe sometime this spring.

*Edit to add: You're in Greely....Steiner is in Greely too. Go look at them as well. Super nice people over there and they have some really nice optics choices if you're interested.
 
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+1 on the bushy own bolth the eye box on the rzr sucks IMO the only advantage to the rzr is illumination
 
Amazon currently has the Black ERS listed as 1499$ sold by sport optiks shipped by amazon. They can also be found for around 1700$. I haven't looked through either but currently am looking at the ERS, Razor, and the Mark 6. The mark 6's weight is a real selling point for the shorty .308 i want to put it on. 26oz is impressive IMO.

Scott also has Leupy Mark 6s for sale at under 2000$ i honestly believe that is a steal. As i posted in another thread if i had the money it would be on order.

http://www.libertyoptics.com/contents/en-us/d8.html
 
What are you going to be mounting the scope on and what are you planning on doing with it? Punching holes in paper at 100 yds in the middle of the day or making 500 yd+ hunting shots in low light conditions? How important are the zero stop or illuminated reticle to you? Do you require FFP or would a Nightforce NXS possibly suit your needs better? Answering these questions will help all of us out in recommending a scope for you.

I'm going to ding steal under 1K and call coyotes (sometimes at night). That's why I like the illumination. But usually when I night hunt I take my AR with the firedot so it's not a must. It would be mounted on a remington 700 243. If I buy the Razor it will likely be used off of the hide. I'd feel bad going into mile high and handling all their stuff unless I planned on buying something. I am definitely partial to FFP.
 
If the glass in the ERS is similar/same to the DMR, I'd go ERS.

I've had a DMR for a while now, and plan on getting another. I just cant find anything that beats it in it's price range.
 
I'm in your same boat OP, I really like both scopes and I can't decide which to go with. I'm leaning towards the ERS due to cost savings ($1700 on Amazon) and I really like the FDE version...
 
I'm in your same boat OP, I really like both scopes and I can't decide which to go with. I'm leaning towards the ERS due to cost savings ($1700 on Amazon) and I really like the FDE version...

Razor is $1649 at Cameraland for the "demo" version which is basically an open boxed version. Haven't heard of anyone who has gotten one from there being able to tell it from new. You can save another $100 if you don't want to keep the box and get a crushed box model.

Vortex - Camera Land NY
 
Razor is $1649 at Cameraland for the "demo" version which is basically an open boxed version. Haven't heard of anyone who has gotten one from there being able to tell it from new. You can save another $100 if you don't want to keep the box and get a crushed box model.

Vortex - Camera Land NY

Wow, thanks!! This just made my decision harder! LOL